John Demers, the chief of the Department of Justice’s national security division, will leave his position by the end of the week:
Demers’ imminent departure comes as the DOJ is under fire for searching electronic records of reporters at major national news outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN, and those of some Democratic lawmakers as part of investigations into the leaks of classified information. The lawmakers included Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.Demers oversaw those investigations, which occurred during the administration of President Donald Trump.The DOJ said Saturday it will not longer secretly seize journalists’ records as part of leak probes.A department spokesman said Demers revealed his plans to leave his job months ago, before the scandal erupted over the probes.
Politicians hate a free press. Remember what President Barack Obama’s administration did to Fox News’s James Rosen? They monitored him and even called him a “criminal co-conspirator.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland referred the matter to the Inspector General:
As I stated during my confirmation hearing, political or other improper considerations must play no role in any investigative or prosecutorial decisions. These principles that have long been held as sacrosanct by the DOJ career workforce will be vigorously guarded on my watch, and any failure to live up to them will be met with strict accountability. There are important questions that must be resolved in connection with an effort by the department to obtain records related to Members of Congress and Congressional staff. I have accordingly directed that the matter be referred to the Inspector General and have full confidence that he will conduct a thorough and independent investigation. If at any time as the investigation proceeds action related to the matter in question is warranted, I will not hesitate to move swiftly.
Garland also told the Deputy Attorney General to “evaluate and strengthen the department’s existing policies and procedures for obtaining records of the Legislative branch.”
Do you notice anything missing? I see Garland only refers to members of Congress. How about some outrage over tracking the media? That should tick off people more than congresspeople.
Demers is one of the few people remaining from Trump’s administration. He wanted to leave on January 20th, but the DOJ’s current leadership insisted he stay on the job. He told his bosses constantly since then that he wanted to leave when his children started summer break.
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